Content Creator's blog post #3
When Joe Newman and Gwil Sainsbury, founding members of British band Alt-J, began recording their first songs in their Leeds University student hall, they were forced to keep noise to a minimum; therefore, disallowing them use of bass instruments. This peculiar constraint formed the band's unique sound, a sound that enabled them to reach number one on the UK charts with their debut album. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers debut show was to a crowd of 30. Ed Sheeran's was before an all-black audience in a nightclub belonging to Jamie Foxx. Kanye West's first recorded rap song was titled 'Green Eggs and Ham' (derived from the classic Dr. Suess book). The Rolling Stones were named after a Muddy Waters' vinyl that happened to be lying on the floor during a Jazz News interview. AC/DC were named after Malcolm and Angus Young's sister saw the initials on a sewing machine. The point is that every band and musician has had an idiosyncratic start, where the common thread seems to be that none of them knew when their 'break' was coming. They just persisted, regardless of where they found themselves playing, or whom they found themselves performing before. Over the past two weeks, XCHC has been able to provide an additional two guarantees: the space is here for any emerging musical artist that requires it, and their audience is present to witness their journey, more than their output.
Over the past two weeks, XCHC has hosted a number of musical performances, all varying in styles. First, we were put through the trippiest of sound experiences with Ari and friends; the aptly titled Psychedelic Surround Sound. At one moment, Ari disappeared, but we began hearing his instruments from outside the building. We would see his head flash past a window, and then he would enter the room from some obscure point, just to leave through another. It was almost as if he was traveling through Enoch's open portals. He would play his guitar with a broomstick-like object, and then pour his hands over his theremin like a wizard conjuring up some soul from the afterlife.
We then had a three night riff of music events, beginning on Thursday with the Drum Circle, facilitated by Gurman. It was backed up on Friday with a Musical Menagerie by looping maestro Jake Kīanō Skinner, and continued into Saturday with Somebody Do Something's debut gig. Ultimately, XCHC was the beneficiary of these events, as we were able to bask in the talent and creative thinking that encompassed these performances. However, it ought to be noted that without XCHC, the musical journey of these artists would have been made just a little more tricky and turbulent. We are an excellent option for hosting of musical shows; we are delighted, always, to be able to showcase emerging talent.
'We were so lucky to be able to perform our first show at XCHC, and we are super thankful to the community for showing up and supporting us!' ~ Marlee Peach (Somebody Do Something)
A word from the operator - when Jake did his show last night [Friday], he said something that sums up music at XCHC better than I am able. He told us all "this music isn't for consumption, it is for your contemplation." That makes a lot of sense to me.
Also, performing at XCHC—particularly for emerging/up-and-coming musicians—takes the pressure off in a way that you would not find at a bar or pub. If you perform here, you will likely be doing so in front of other musicians who want to support your journey.
Flashback: July 2020 Exhibitions:
The Art for Equality exhibition, facilitated by Art Social Christchurch, will be remaining in place until the 19th of July. Select pieces are available for purchase via silent auction; auction sheets are positioned by the art in the centre of the café space (café staff can direct you to them). All pieces have been thoughtfully created, with inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement and other causes for racial equality. There are plenty of pieces still available at affordable prices, and some do not yet have a bid. Portions of the sales are to be donated to various organisations and causes for racial equality.
Where the Wild Things Are party - although not strictly an exhibition, we invited anyone to bring a plant or floral arrangement along to XCHC (the more original, the better) as we turned this space into a botanical wonderland. The kind donation were used to decorate our space for the Where the Wild Things Are party on Friday, 17th of July.
Note: This article was first published on Patreon in July 2020. Have a look and sign up here if you’d like to support the our artists: https://patreon.com/exchange